Throughout the first day of Big Ten Football Media Days on July 26, there was one topic seemingly on everyone’s mind: the Northwestern hazing scandal.
Early this month, former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald was first suspended and then fired after a tumultuous weekend of allegations made public by former players regarding hazing within the program. Since then, lawsuits have been filed and newly-hired defensive coordinator David Braun has been elevated to interim head coach.
Braun expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Wildcats in the 2023 season, but addressed the scandal unfolding in Evanston.
“I never could have imagined, nor did I desire, to become a head coach under these types of circumstances,” he said. “That said, I’m honored to lead this group moving forward.”
The day before, the three players scheduled to appear for Northwestern released a statement saying that they would not attend the two-day conference in Indianapolis. Likewise, Braun attempted to address the scandal at times but steer the conversation back to football.
“I won’t speak to current allegations,” he said. “Fully trust that our university is going through a process and will make decisions based on the facts.
“What I can speak to is how proud I am of the way that our team has come together with all this stuff swirling around our football team. There’s absolute resolve and confidence from our leadership within our team of how we’re going to move forward.”
But it wasn’t just Braun that was asked about the scandal.
Rival Illinois coach Brett Bielema was the first to be asked, stating that while he and the former Wildcats coach are close, he does not have the ability to comment on the situation. He would later add, “I don’t really worry about what’s happening in our building. I don’t mention the word ‘culture.’ I never have. I’m not a guy who thinks it’s a buzzword. It’s something that’s never set well with me. But I talk about what we do. To have a season like we just had and the talent we have returning and to have the highest GPA in school history, it tells me we’re doing a lot of good things.”
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano faced a different sort of question, as he was asked how preparations change for the Sept. 3 game against Northwestern.
“I don’t think as much maybe as if it was a total overhaul,” Schiano said. “Mike Bajakian is the coordinator there, he’s been there. I think that’s going to remain similar. Defensively, they didn’t bring [Braun] in to be the defensive coordinator and run someone else’s defense, so now he’s the head coach as well. So I think we’re going to get what we’re studying and getting prepared for.”
Schiano added that his lone goal is to make sure Rutgers is ready to play as he knows Northwestern will be.
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker was asked if he would be taking a closer look at his program following the hazing situation north of Chicago.
“Our culture is very strong, and our culture starts with connection and authentic relationships and mutual respect. We have that,” said Tucker. “We do have an anti-hazing policy at the university and on our football team. Our players know that. I talked to our athletics director, Alan Haller, and that’s going to be one of the topics we cover when we report to camp next Wednesday.”
Big Ten Conference commissioner Tony Petitti was asked about the league’s involvement in the scandal. He mentioned that Northwestern is in the midst of two university-led investigations and that the Big Ten will wait for those to conclude before they act.
Braun ended his initial appearance by addressing his conversations with his team.
“I challenged the group,” he said. “A lot of people have been impacted by decisions made, by the decisions that have been made over the course of the last couple weeks, and our guys right now in that facility are going through a lot.
“We have an opportunity to either run from that or an opportunity to truly stare that adversity in the face, stare it down, and go attack this opportunity to make this fall an incredible story that truly embodies what this team is all about.”
